Director, Integrated Justice Initiatives

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Justice Supports Branch, the Director, Integrated Justice Initiatives provides strategic leadership for the development, delivery, and expansion of community justice programming across Alberta. The role advances innovative justice initiatives that strengthen access to justice through community-based services, partnerships, and cross-government collaboration.

In this role, the Director leads the strategic development and implementation of community justice initiatives that respond to emerging needs within Alberta’s justice system. This includes advancing innovative service delivery approaches and supporting the creation and expansion of programs that promote effective and sustainable community-based justice services across the province.

The Director oversees the administration and performance of key community justice programs, including specialized courts such as Drug Treatment Courts, Mental Health Courts, Domestic Violence Courts, and Indigenous courts. The position also provides leadership for provincial restorative justice programming and supports the ongoing development of youth justice committees throughout Alberta, ensuring that programs operate within provincial standards and align with ministry priorities.

Working closely with justice system partners, community organizations, and other government ministries, the Director builds collaborative relationships that advance community justice initiatives and integrated approaches to service delivery. The role identifies opportunities to expand programming in communities across Alberta and represents the ministry in cross-government and stakeholder forums related to community justice policy and programming.

The Director also provides oversight of funding and operational management for community justice initiatives. This includes leading procurement processes, managing contracts and grant agreements with service providers, overseeing program budgets and financial forecasting, and ensuring accountability for publicly funded programs. The role leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for program delivery, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement in community justice programming.

Who we are: The Justice Supports Branch mission is to lead with innovation and collaboration, aligning people, programs, and policy to deliver adaptable justice services. The branch provides strategic oversight, policy and program coordination, and operational support to ensure initiatives are future-ready, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of many people. Our work spans legal aid governance, community justice initiatives (including the administration of the ministry’s grants and collaborating with community stakeholders to advance Restorative Justice initiatives). We are the Indigenous policy and services unit for the ministry and administer the Gladue report writing and Indigenous court-worker programs. Our team also includes the Alberta Law Libraries, and Official Documents and Appointments, which assist Albertans with access to justice and manage the Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public programs.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Who you are: This role is a senior manager/director level. You are a strategic and collaborative leader with a strong understanding of the justice system and the role community-based programs play in improving outcomes for individuals and communities. You bring experience leading complex initiatives that involve multiple partners, competing priorities, and evolving policy environments.

You are comfortable operating at both the strategic and operational levels, translating government priorities into practical programs and initiatives that deliver meaningful results. You have a strong ability to analyze complex issues, develop options, and provide clear advice to senior leaders while maintaining a focus on effective service delivery.

You bring exceptional writing and analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured materials for senior decision-makers. You have a strong attention to detail and are experienced in developing corporate reporting that tracks program performance and outcomes, including the use of key performance indicators and other evaluation measures. You are comfortable translating complex operational and policy information into reporting for executive leadership and government committees, ensuring that initiatives are effectively monitored, communicated, and aligned with broader government priorities.

You lead with sound judgment, systems thinking, and a commitment to collaboration and innovation. You are comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity, guiding teams through change, and advancing initiatives that strengthen access to justice and improve services for Albertans.

You build strong relationships and partnerships with stakeholders across government, the justice system, and community organizations. You are skilled at bringing diverse perspectives together to advance shared goals and develop solutions that respond to the needs of communities across Alberta.

What you will bring to the role:

• An ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively in a demanding environment where expectations for responsiveness and delivery are high, including the ability to respond to matters outside of regular business hours.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build relationships and navigate sensitive communication effectively.
• Excellent time management abilities, with the capacity to handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling you to analyze, synthesize, and refine complex information.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality, ensuring all material meets high standards.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Adaptability and resilience in managing shifting priorities and high-pressure situations.
• Recognition that professionalism and dependability, including maintaining consistent attendance and supporting team responsibilities in a demanding operational environment is critical to team success.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Creative Problem Solving - To be proactive in identifying solutions and focusing on continuous improvement.
• Develop Networks - Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
• Drive for Results - To know what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each internal and external stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking - recognize the broader impact of your work and to be able to understand broader goals.

Qualifications

A university degree in public administration, public policy, criminology, law, social sciences, or a related discipline, supplemented by a minimum of six (6) years progressively responsible experience in justice, public policy, or program leadership.

Equivalencies may be considered:

• A related two-year diploma and a minimum of eight (8) years of related experience; a related one-year certificate and a minimum of nine (9) years of related experience; or a minimum of ten (10) years of related experience in lieu of formal education.
  
  

Required:

• A cover letter detailing how your skills and experience align with the role's responsibilities will be used to assess writing and communication skills.
• As an appendix to the cover letter, candidates must provide related business examples of where they have demonstrated in two different areas of the Alberta Public Service competency model. The APS Competencies are: Build Collaborative Environments, Develop Networks, Creative Problem
• Solving, Systems Thinking, Agility, Drive for Results, and Develop Self and Others.
• The examples will be used to ascertain candidate’s suitability to the position. 
• Candidates who do not complete the appendix will not be considered for further advancement in the recruitment process.
• Strong organizational, management, and financial acumen skills.
  
  

Assets:

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, program governance, or provincial government-related programming is desired. A minimum of five years in management in a municipal, provincial, or federal public service setting is highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple partners, including government ministries, justice system stakeholders, and community organizations.
• Familiarity with government budgeting cycles, financial systems (e.g., 1GX, SAP), and Treasury Board processes. Experience overseeing complex programs, funding agreements, or grant initiatives with accountability for public resources is strongly preferred.
• Experience providing strategic advice and briefing materials to senior executives and government decision-makers is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in managing personnel and leading teams within dynamic and complex environments, including those involving public or political sensitivity, as well as teams necessitating active management, clear direction, and strong oversight.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite, SharePoint, and Action Request Tracking System (ARTS).

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of work: This position is a permanent full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm). Flexible work arrangements are not suitable for this position.

Positions currently available: One (1) temporary salaried position with an expected end date of 3 years.

Location: Oxbridge Place Building, 9820 – 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6.

Candidates living outside Edmonton may be considered if there is a Government of Alberta workspace available in their area. They must work from the nearest provincial building and be willing to travel to Edmonton regularly.

This position is not eligible to participate in the work from home or hybrid work arrangement.

Traveling will consist of less than 5% of the work schedule.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.